One of my doctors wants to put me on birth control to help with my acne (oh the wonders of being 14), and I was just wondering what sort of side effects people here have experienced. I've heard all sorts of things- expanding breasts, weight gain, terrible periods, much easier periods, nausea, mood swings, ect.
Birth Control Pills
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I was on the pill for eleven years. They do regulate your hormones, which in turn helps your acne (if it is hormone related acne) but they also up your risk of cervical cancer. Two months after I stopped taking them, I had shed fifteen pounds. That tells you something right there. All of the side effects you listed are common. Depression is a very common side effect as well.
I think it really depends on the person. I know when I was on them I had to try three different kinds before I found one that didn't make me depressed. I went off them alltogether a while ago. Just make sure you talk to your doctor about anything you notice. Some people do really well on them and others don't. I stopped taking them mostly because I wanted my body to do it's thing naturally and not be regulated by synthetic hormones, but in all honesty the last pill I was only gave me the good side effects.
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I love the pill. I'm on Tri Cyclen. One of the side effects that I love is that my skin is so clear. My cycles are now regular. I know within a hour of when I'll get my period. I use to have such bad cramps and nausea the first day of my period that I considered riping out my ovaries myself. I now feel a slight pressure. Plus I've gone from 8 days of hell to 5 days of very manageable.
I know the pill isn't for everyone and like someone suggested, you may need to try a couple of to find one that works well with your body. But for me it's a great method of contraception until I have children and the side effects are awesome.
I know the pill isn't for everyone and like someone suggested, you may need to try a couple of to find one that works well with your body. But for me it's a great method of contraception until I have children and the side effects are awesome.
If they're putting you on the pill to help your skin and you live in the US, they're probably going to put you on Ortho-tri-cyclen. (What Aurora was talking about)
That's the one I was on (for 10 years, just stopped taking it a few months ago) and I never experienced any bad side effects. I did have bad side effects on another brand, but never on ortho-tricyclen. Didn't gain weight, no moodiness or depression, nothing. It was great. I was sad to come off of it! (But had to in order to try to conceive
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) Most of the people I know who take birth control pills are on ortho-tri-cyclen and I don't know anyone who doesnt love it.
That's the one I was on (for 10 years, just stopped taking it a few months ago) and I never experienced any bad side effects. I did have bad side effects on another brand, but never on ortho-tricyclen. Didn't gain weight, no moodiness or depression, nothing. It was great. I was sad to come off of it! (But had to in order to try to conceive
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I went on them for a short time only because of the side effects that I had. I did gain weight.. especially in my chest. At the time I was really obsessed about my weight so I went off them right away. It just wasn't for me... but everyone is different.
I originally went on ortho-tricyclen two years ago, at 21, to help with my periods which had suddenly become incredibly painful and my skin, which had suddenly started breaking out like crazy. I've never had any problems. However, you are still 14, and personally, I know I would rather not be on the pill if I didn't rely on it to help control what I just described and as a birth control method. So, if it's only acne you're concerned with at this point, maybe you can try something else? There are other solutions that don't involve messing with your hormones.
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Skarlett: I wish I had gained weight in my chest!!! i wouldn't be so flat!
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no kidding huh? pfft
i didn't gain weight or anything, it did make periods lighter and shorter, but i had great big emotional breakdowns every month for no reason and started getting sharp stabbing pains in my legs as well as spider veins. that scared me (birth control increases your risk of blood clots especially in the legs but usually only if you're a smoker-i'm not) so i went off them and felt so much better emotionally. i was on it for 4 years though before all that caught up to me. but honestly after i stopped taking it my periods stayed the same. they didn't go back to 6 days of heavy insanity i had before the pill, so i don't regret taking it.
i say if you want to try it go ahead and try it, but keep track of any side effects and if you have any you can just stop taking it. my side effects stopped as soon as i stopped taking it
i didn't gain weight or anything, it did make periods lighter and shorter, but i had great big emotional breakdowns every month for no reason and started getting sharp stabbing pains in my legs as well as spider veins. that scared me (birth control increases your risk of blood clots especially in the legs but usually only if you're a smoker-i'm not) so i went off them and felt so much better emotionally. i was on it for 4 years though before all that caught up to me. but honestly after i stopped taking it my periods stayed the same. they didn't go back to 6 days of heavy insanity i had before the pill, so i don't regret taking it.
i say if you want to try it go ahead and try it, but keep track of any side effects and if you have any you can just stop taking it. my side effects stopped as soon as i stopped taking it
My gyn told me that the big hype over Ortho Tri Cyclen helping acne is baloney - most women will experience an improvement on ANY pill, whether monophasic or triphasic. I asked specifically for Tri Cyclen and ended up on Ortho Cyclen (the monophasic version) and have had no unpleasant side effects at all. I've been taking it for almost 2.5 years, and originally went on it (and stay on it today) for medical, not contraceptive reasons. It has fixed those problems and I am pleased.
I am planning to switch to Ortho Evra (the patch) sometime soon, just for the convenience factor.
I am planning to switch to Ortho Evra (the patch) sometime soon, just for the convenience factor.
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I'm actually considering giving Ortho Evra a try. Any website that you know about Grate_ful Veggie?
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It's highly dependent on the person. My wife was on the pill for acne, too, though birth control was a helpful side effect. Of course, she exercises and eats right, and she shed quite a few pounds, so the fabled weight gain aspect of the pill doesn't seem to affect her now. Maybe she'd be even a little leaner if she didn't take it, but I love her the way she is... Awww.
There are ones that are monophasic (same pill for three weeks in a row) and ones that are tri-phasic (or other numbers, I suppose). There are also estrogen+progesteron synthetics or progesterin alone (estrogen alone? I don't know.). You might want to research this and suggest a certain kind to your physician (preferably a lower dose one).
Some are stronger than others.
If it is for just acne, I would look into other treatments first. It seems drastic to go on hormones just for acne.
But for the record- I have had pretty much only positive effects. It actually helps my depression, I have predictable, light periods, no PMS what so ever, larger on top, less acne, and I can't get pregnant (when used properly). But when first using it, it made me ill for a little while, and I generally gained weight, but it came off.
Plus, I have a lower risk of ovarian cancer. Research on increased breast and cervical cancer is mixed. A lot of people say many different things on increased cancer risk.
Some are stronger than others.
If it is for just acne, I would look into other treatments first. It seems drastic to go on hormones just for acne.
But for the record- I have had pretty much only positive effects. It actually helps my depression, I have predictable, light periods, no PMS what so ever, larger on top, less acne, and I can't get pregnant (when used properly). But when first using it, it made me ill for a little while, and I generally gained weight, but it came off.
Plus, I have a lower risk of ovarian cancer. Research on increased breast and cervical cancer is mixed. A lot of people say many different things on increased cancer risk.
Also, the chances of increased cancer risk are small increases. Taking the pill isn't like starting smoking.
Aleese is a low dose pill that helps with acne as well.
The weight gain is because of 3 things - water weight in the first 3 months of taking it (average: 5 lbs and it goes away), increased appetite in some people (not slowed metoblism) and the mental effects of people who think the pill will make them gain weight, so they eat more. Yup, there are studies on all three
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Morning sickness is common when you first start taking the pill. If it is extreme, then try another pill.
Aleese is a low dose pill that helps with acne as well.
The weight gain is because of 3 things - water weight in the first 3 months of taking it (average: 5 lbs and it goes away), increased appetite in some people (not slowed metoblism) and the mental effects of people who think the pill will make them gain weight, so they eat more. Yup, there are studies on all three
Morning sickness is common when you first start taking the pill. If it is extreme, then try another pill.
I probably should have explained.... we've tried just about every other medication, change of diet, ect. short of acutane (which they require females to be on birth control when they take it anyways), and nothing has worked. I haven't responded to any of the strongest anti-biotics they can give.
My dad's face is horribly scarred from acne, so that's a big concern for him as well as my dermatologist. Although you should have seen my dad's face when the doctor said she wanted to put me on birth control. Heh. Priceless.
My dad's face is horribly scarred from acne, so that's a big concern for him as well as my dermatologist. Although you should have seen my dad's face when the doctor said she wanted to put me on birth control. Heh. Priceless.
Bloodysunsett,
There are a number of people in my family with acne - both the scarring type (my cousins) and cystic swollen type that doesn't scar (me).
The pill worked for all of us. Aleese works the best for me, but I also cannot take the higher estrogren pills. But, many young women can take Othro-Tri's without any issue.
I don't know your money situation, but my scarring cousins swear by ProActiv. Yes, the stuff on the infocommericals. But they love it. It's topical, so it doesn't interfer with medications.
Your dad is so good to care about your face. So many parents don't care if their kids are suffering from acne.
There are a number of people in my family with acne - both the scarring type (my cousins) and cystic swollen type that doesn't scar (me).
The pill worked for all of us. Aleese works the best for me, but I also cannot take the higher estrogren pills. But, many young women can take Othro-Tri's without any issue.
I don't know your money situation, but my scarring cousins swear by ProActiv. Yes, the stuff on the infocommericals. But they love it. It's topical, so it doesn't interfer with medications.
Your dad is so good to care about your face. So many parents don't care if their kids are suffering from acne.
I've had no bad effects from the pill. Good effects included; weight loss, down from 2 month long periods to 4 day periods, light cramping instead of the debilitating cramping that comes with endometriosis, protection from several types of cancer..oh yeah and birth control
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I experienced several negative side-effects with the pill. I took Lo-Ovral for about three years, during which I had terrible headaches, weight gain, depression, and some unpleasant sexual side effects. (Specifically, dryness.)
I'd prefer to avoid taking it again, so if I am ever in a position to need birth control once more, I'll look for another method.
I admit I'm rather intrigued by the patch. NFP also interests me.
ETA: At your age, the sexual side effects are not applicable, (I hope!) but I mentioned it in case anyone else of an appropriate age to have that concern might want to know.
I'd prefer to avoid taking it again, so if I am ever in a position to need birth control once more, I'll look for another method.
I admit I'm rather intrigued by the patch. NFP also interests me.
ETA: At your age, the sexual side effects are not applicable, (I hope!) but I mentioned it in case anyone else of an appropriate age to have that concern might want to know.
I don't understand why everyone keeps taking a pill that makes them sick. There are dozens of birth control pills out there and they are all different. If one makes you miserable, try another one. That is *why* there are so many different ones; to meet the needs of different bodies.
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